Akhil Sheoran, known for his calm and deliberate shooting style, made a strong comeback in the Men’s 50m 3 Positions event at the ISSF Shooting World Cup Final in New Delhi. Despite missing out on a spot at the Paris Olympics, Sheoran proved his resilience by clinching the bronze medal in front of a home crowd at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.
His methodical approach to shooting, where he takes his time lining up each shot, was on full display. Sheoran took longer than the other competitors to pull the trigger, but it worked in his favour as he held off a late challenge from reigning Olympic gold medallist Yukun Liu of China, as well as stiff competition from Jiri Privaratsky of the Czech Republic.
Battle for ISSF Shooting World Cup podium
During the final, Sheoran faced immense pressure. With five shooters remaining, each posting high-precision shots in the mid-10s, Sheoran took his time and eventually fired a crucial 10.8, securing his podium finish. He concluded the event with 452.6 points, while Hungary’s Peni Istvan and Privaratsky claimed gold and silver, respectively.
Despite the fierce competition, Sheoran’s focus and patience helped him stay in control, earning him a well-deserved bronze. His performance was particularly impressive, given that he had been up against world-class shooters like Liu, who had been named ISSF Men’s Shooter of the Year.
Generous Gesture and an Eventful Year
Akhil Sheoran’s day at the World Cup Final started with an act of kindness. When Kazakhstan shooter Konstantin Malinovskiy lost his shooting kit, Sheoran lent him his backup jacket and pants, allowing Malinovskiy to compete after taping over Sheoran’s name on the gear.
The past year has been a rollercoaster for Sheoran. He claimed a surprise bronze at the 2022 World Championships, which positioned him as a strong contender in India’s 50m 3P shooting squad. However, when the trials for the Paris Olympics came around, Sheoran missed out on qualification after suffering a car accident just before the domestic trials in Bhopal. The injury left him with a chip fracture and a cut on his cheek, affecting his performance in the trials.
Bouncing Back After Setbacks ft Akhil Sheron
Missing out on the Olympics was a bitter pill to swallow for Akhil Sheoran, especially after his strong performances the previous year. His coach, Deepali Deshpande, revealed that Sheoran initially kept his injury under wraps, fearing the consequences. After recovering, Sheoran participated in the trials but couldn’t secure his place, leaving his Olympic dreams on hold once again.
Adding to his struggles, Sheoran was also waiting for a delayed appointment to the Uttar Pradesh Police after quitting his job with the Railways. However, in the days leading up to the World Cup Final, Sheoran received two pieces of good news: his appointment as a Deputy Superintendent of Police was confirmed, and he was selected for the Indian team at the World Cup Final.
Well-Earned Bronze on Home Soil
With renewed motivation, Akhil Sheoran entered the ISSF Shooting World Cup Final and delivered a commendable performance to claim bronze. His steady, focused style and determination proved that setbacks could be turned into success with perseverance. Shooting on home turf, Sheoran capped off a challenging year with a hard-fought medal, showing that he’s far from done on the international stage.
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